I Am The Idiot (a Doctor Who commentary)

What was I thinking. I could have dug into it last year, when I got a new Wii complete with ability to watch YouTube. I could have been absorbing Doctor Who ever since then. But stupid me, I didn't even try to dig into Matt Smith's era as the Doctor until he announced that he is headed out the door at the end of 2013, leaving with one last Christmas Special before turning the TARDIS over to the 12th Doctor.

Stupid me. I had a few years I could have absorbed and assimilated Matt Smith's Doctor Who, but fool that I am I didn't do it until now, at the end of his run... and now honestly is the worst time to realize I will actually miss him as the Doctor. Too late for words, too late for sentiment or protest. Too late, far far too late.

But it wouldn't matter at any rate. It's not the death of Spock all over again, and even if it was no massive fandom campaign will change anything... at best maybe Matt Smith will be like David Tennant, and occasionally return to do Anniversary stuff, or audio dramas for Big Finish. Just as long as he is not a new Christopher E., Still going through his I Am Not Spock phase to the disgusting depth that he snubbed Doctor Who fans by refusing to participate in the 50th Anniversary Doctor Who Special in Late November. I understand his reluctance, but sometimes as a fan one has to just put one's hoof down, unleash FlutterRage, and declare enough is enough. And really, C.E., I had had more than enough of your abusive I Am Not Spock whining. You already horribly mangled one of GI Joe's best villains, Destro, but this is too much!

But C.E. is not my biggest regret, nope, that is reserved for my future failure to qualify for a Matt Smith interview before the end of 2013. I have at least a open the door level of experience, I have been reviewing and interviewing for 11 years, not counting my early years in fandom newsletter publishing. I do have some good interviews on my resume, and been reviewing in the US and the UK... yet somehow that never seems to be enough.

I shouldn't despair but... sigh... it's hard to feel upbeat if you feel you don't measure up. Good reason if any to roll up my sleeves and work harder. Then file my request in August and take my chances. Updates coming soon on my first summer interview requests coming shortly by the way.

Well I may be late to the party, but we have some months to grind a bit of Matt Smith Doctor Who, be it BBC or IDW comics so join me won't you? Content coming up soon!

Summer 2013 Day 23 : Podcasts I Listen To

Another week has come, and another week to wait for that darn laptop. Well while I wait let's check out what podcasts I am presently listening to.

Comics
Former listens - I used to listen to The New 52 Adventures of Superman, but that wrapped recently (one episode shy of its projected end).

Merc with a Podcast (Deadpool)
Formerly The Merc Report before it moved from Cultural Wormhole to Eaths Mightiest Podcast... I don't know why I listen to this since I don't read Deadpool but... Oh well.

Spider-Man Crawlspace
I only just started putting Spider-Man on my retro reviewing schedule, but I have been listening since the end of 2012 and the last Spider Jeopardy episode. Very nice fun and informative cast, even for a dabbler in things Spider-Man like me.

Superman Forever
I haven't been listening for awhile, so I need to get back on track. Presently the only Superman cast I follow.

Multimedia
Bronyville
I used to listen to both this and Pony 411 for all my My Little Pony content... Pony 411 hasn't been seen since April, making this last podcast standing.

Doctor Who Podcast
AKA "you are most welcome"... nice podcast, even if I usually accuse them of being a subsidiary of the BBC and Big Finish. My presently in development "Off Season with the Doctor" was inspired by the content not covered by The Doctor Who Podcast.

Geekshow
Ok, it's not exactly safe for work, but still my favorite source for multimedia pop culture news.

Indycast (Indiana Jones)
Sure, not much happening in the world of Indiana Jones, but still pretty fun and releases twice a month.

Forcecast (Star Wars)
Maybe it's the morbid in me, but I'm listening to hear their reactions to every bad decision made by Disney. Go figure.

Video Games
Idle Thumbs
Just got back into listening to this. As awesome as it was when I listened to the previous series before this one.

RPGamer Podcast
While I don't always agree with this cast, for instance their vehement Microsoft XBox One defense before the full details of Microsoft's stupidity came to light... Still my favorite. Anyway it's on a one month hiatus since two of its hosts got married to each other, but it should be back by Late June.

Next time, what podcasts I would like to see done.

Summer 2013 Day 18 : Next Issue Submissions

After last issue I have been working on my next submissions. My first thought was to grind an article on Matt Smith leaving Doctor Who, which might fit the light content but I don't really have much to say at this time. Another thought was on what was going on so far concerning Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary. A third idea? Equestria Girls.. I have to pick one and submit it.

Reviewwise I am even less certain. I got stuff to review... but I turned in stuff months ago and none of it was used. Eh... I don't know but I am going to write 2 reviews to submit all the same, just in case.

So a commentary and two reviews, more details coming as I write it up, stay tuned.

Summer 2013 Day 17 : The Waiting Game... sigh.

Yup. Days have passed and I am still waiting on the laptop. What a revolting development, especially since tomorrow is rare useless Hawaiian holiday King Kamehameha day (insert Goku from Dragon ball Z performing Kamehameha here). If there was ever a good reason why Hele On deserves no more money, let alone doubling prices to ride the bus, it's this.

If at least Hele On was improving the bus schedule, adding more bus arrivals a day or Sunday/Holiday bus shuttle schedules (shuttles don't run on Sunday and holidays) then I can justify a decent 50% rate hike... but double the rates for the same so-so service? Come on, be serious.

So won't be checking up on the laptop again for a few days... disappointingly... oh well, stay tuned for updates though I am working on the first batch of New 52 reviews, starting off with Action Comics #19 (must buy digital version), Supergirl #19, Superman #18-#19 and Teen Titans #19. Coming soon.

Summer 2013 Day 16 : Travels with the Hele Hold Up Bus

I think I may know my fate regarding work next school year when I get my June 15th check, finding paying work as a reviewer is slow work, and I am still waiting on the laptop... the last thing I need is for the shuttle rates to go up, but they're going up.

Hele On, the bus company that handles public transportation, announced yesterday that they will be raising bus rates a whopping 100% with the cost jumping from $1 to $2... seriously? They don't do that over at The Bus, public transportation on Oahu, and they run far more buses for longer each and every day and Sundays. But that is what we get with privatized public transportation. Privatization. Sucks for medical, transportation, social services, everything.

And here I thought this month's flank ache would be waiting for the laptop to arrive. Thanks alot Hele On. Thanks. Oh well, like I said on Facebook everyone on the neighbor islands need to get on this and email the heck out of Hele On and your local county council member over this nonsense with Hele On. If they need a bit more maybe it would work if it wasn't a 100% doubling of ticket prices... my hope is that bus passes remain a bargain lessening the impact if higher prices... stay tuned for updates.

Summer 2013 Day 3 : Looking for Work

Well, Memorial Day is done and a new work week begins anew. So for me? Time to get back on the trail of a new reviewing job. Since I have not heard back from my Editor over at RKYV in like forever now would be a pretty good time to find a new reviewing job. And that means doing quite a bit to get that done.

I have to get all these blogs updating on a regular basis with contents and updates, looking for new people to follow my reviews as well as have active sites for future Editors to look at my work.

I have to get my podcasting completely back on track and going forward again.

I have to be as active a reviewer as possible, get s one fresh work and exposure to add to my resume.

The first step is rolling along slowly but surely. Step two is waiting for a vital piece of hardware, while step 3... is a work in progress. Lots to do, lots more if I want to impress a future Editor, but all worth it once I nail down a new reviewing job. All fine and all, except for the rather daunting truth that... nobody seems to be hiring at the moment.

A bit of a setback, but that won't stop me from forging ahead all the same. Stiff upper lip and all that. Hopefully this little ongoing narrative in my summer work I'd not s narrative that goes on for too long but, say it with me now, stay tuned.

Getting back on track

Well spending the weekend getting back on track doing all these blogs. For this blog I have quite a few things to get back on track with.

Acquiring a used laptop so I can get back on track with the comic podcasts. Also with writing content for RKYV... only I haven't heard from Mr. Pare in forever. That is one of the things I will be looking into this month. Another being me looking into my presently missing subscription to Supergirl (That New 52 Smell).

So first thing first getting back on track with daily posting all over. Stay tuned.

Daily News IDW Edition

Daily News IDW Editoin

KISS KIDS Coming Fall 2013

Personally I blame Jim Henson. Check out the cut (with safety scissors) and paste (with non toxic glue) info below.

Ah, the simple pleasures of just being a kid. Lemonade stands, little league games, advanced fort building, rocking the faces off of millions of screaming fans all over the world while thwarting the plans of your evil school Principal.
 
If a couple of those cherished childhood memories sound unfamiliar, that’s because they can only be found in KISS Kids, the new series starring the pint-sized rock gods! Join Starchild, Li’l Demon, Spacey, and Catkid as they get into trouble and kick out the jams in strips featuring familiar characters and settings from KISS lore. Helmed by KISS series writers Chris Ryall and Tom Waltz with fun, expressive art by Jose Holder (Mars Attacks The Real Ghostbusters), KISS Kids promises to be a treat for fans of all-ages!
 
“KISS is used to rocking and rolling all night and partying every day, but back when they were little’uns, those things only happened around nap time,” said Chris Ryall, also IDW’s Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief. “This series will appeal to kids and Kiss fans of all ages, as we see the school-age band engage robots, evil teachers, other students, and much more, all filtered through the KISS lens. Beth, the school’s Doctor Love, the snooty Torpedo Girls, the bratty “Wicked” Lester, nefarious Principal Elder… they’re all here for this accessible, funny, and appealing new series.”
 
The new KISS Kids series, coming this fall, is being previewed in the form of a one-page strip on the back cover of all four issues of this spring’s Kiss Solo series. Fans will get their first real look at theKiss Kids on April 10, when Kiss Solo #1: The Demon by Ryall and artist Angel Medina is released.
 
"Rock and Roll All Nite….and Potty Every Day," added the L’il Demon himself, Kiss founding member,Gene Simmons.
 
This fall, there’s only one place for proof positive that whether you’re a Starchild or a Demon, there’s nothing better than rocking and rolling all night and reading comics every day!

If you told me to get hyped about this BEFORE I learned about Teen Titans Go replacing Young Justice? Well.... maybe. But not now. I'm burned out on kidified versions of just about anything. Go figure. But if you want to check it out? Please do. I think I will get the digitial #1 in the Fall and review it, so stay tuned for a review in the future.

Daily News Valiant Edition

Daily News Valiant Edition

June 2013 Solicits

So what is coming up comic wise in June 2013 from Valiant? Let's see... here, have you some cut and paste!

HARBINGER WARS #3 (of 4)

Written by JOSHUA DYSART & DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art by CLAYTON HENRY

Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER (APR131270)

Pullbox Exclusive Variant by TREVOR HAIRSINE (APR131271)

Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS (APR131272)

Variant Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER (APR131273)

 

Introducing…H.A.R.D. Corps!

 

Las Vegas is burning, and the situation on the ground is about to go from bad to worse. With the firefight between the Harbinger Foundation, Bloodshot and the Renegades spiraling out of control, Project Rising Spirit has only one desperate option left to prevent the conflagration from spreading. It's time to bring the deep-black weapons development project – designation H.A.R.D. Corps – back online. But are they a scalpel or a sledgehammer? And can they be trusted with the enormous power they wield? What happens in Vegas may just destroy the rest of the Valiant Universe!

 

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

ON SALE JUNE 12th!

HARBINGER #13 (HARBINGER WARS)

Written by JOSHUA DYSART 

Art by KHARI EVANS

Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER (APR131274)

Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS (APR131276)

8-Bit Variant also available (APR131275)

 

HARBINGER WARS tie-in! The Renegades vs. Bloodshot!

 

At last, the battle you've been waiting for! But the Harbinger hunter called Bloodshot is a much more dangerous – and much more clever – foe than Peter Stanchek and the Renegades ever could have anticipated. Plus: what is the secret of Toyo Harada's first Harbinger War?

 

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

ON SALE JUNE 19th!

BLOODSHOT #12 (HARBINGER WARS)

Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art by BARRY KITSON

Cover by KALMAN ANDRASOFSZKY (APR131277)

Variant Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER (APR131279)

8-Bit Variant also available (APR131278)

 

HARBINGER WARS tie-in! It's payback time!

 

After Dr. Emanuel Kuretich freed Bloodshot from Project Rising Spirit, he promised Bloodshot that the answers to his identity would be found inside PRS' secret Nevada facility. He lied. Instead, Bloodshot discovered two dozen super-powered psiot children – children that Kuretich then manipulated him into setting free. Now that the kids are out and have ignited a Harbinger War in the middle of the Vegas strip, Bloodshot is all that stands between them and the opposing forces of Toyo Harada and Peter Stanchek.  But Bloodshot hasn't forgotten about Kuretich. And he's about to reap his revenge.

 

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

ON SALE JUNE 19th!

ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #10

Written by FRED VAN LENTE

Art by PERE PEREZ

Cover by CLAYTON HENRY (APR131281)

Pullbox Exclusive Variant by JUAN DOE (APR131282)

Variant Cover by ANDREW ROBINSON (APR131284)

8-Bit Variant also available (APR131283)

 

ALL-NEW ARC! Archer and Armstrong and Aliens. Oh my! 

 

Mary-Maria, Archer's arch-nemesis/love interest/adopted sister is back, ready to take over The Sect – by any means necessary. And what better way to seize control of the secret society of secret societies than by unlocking their most secretive of secrets on the secretest place on Earth? And who but the Valiant Universe's premiere team of conspiracy-busters can possibly stop her? Just when you thought this book couldn't get any weirder, Archer & Armstrong storm Area 51…and things get weirder still! 

 

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

ON SALE JUNE 5th!

X-O MANOWAR #14

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI

Art by CARY NORD

Cover by ARTURO LOZZI (APR131288)

8-Bit Variant also available (APR131289)

 

He has conquered. He has killed. But can he reign over PLANET DEATH?

 

Aric of Dacia came to Loam to exact his revenge against the alien race that captured and tortured his people. Now, Aric must make a choice that will affect both him and the future of the Valiant Universe forever. Don’t miss the jaw-dropping conclusion of PLANET DEATH and this monumental moment for the ongoing saga of X-O Manowar!

 

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

ON SALE JUNE 26th!

SHADOWMAN #7

Written by JUSTIN JORDAN 

Art by NEIL EDWARDS

Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER (APR131285)

Variant Cover by DAVE JOHNSON (APR131287)

8-Bit Variant also available (APR131286)

 

There’s a dark light dawning over New Orleans. 

 

Doctor Mirage talks to the dead. And right now, the dead are screaming, caught between the sinister will of Master Darque and the power of Baron Samedi. Will Shadowman and Mirage be able to defeat them both, or will New Orleans fall to the dead?

 

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

ON SALE JUNE 5th!

BLOODSHOT VOL. 2: THE RISE & THE FALL TPB 

Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art by MANUEL GARCIA, ARTURO LOZZI & MATTHEW CLARK

Cover by ARTURO LOZZI (APR131280)

 

Assault on Project Rising Spirit!

 

Bloodshot is finally free of the memories that have haunted him since his awakening – but now even greater mysteries remain. Who was he before he was transformed into a walking weapon of mass destruction? And does he have a real family out there somewhere? Unfortunately, the only man with the answers is the former mastermind of Project Rising Spirit, the quasi-governmental science division that created him – and he’s just struck a devil’s bargain with Bloodshot. “Destroy your creators and I’ll reveal everything.” Well, almost everything…

 

Collecting BLOODSHOT #5-9 by acclaimed writer Duane Swierczynski (Birds of Prey) and artists Manuel Garcia (Black Widow), Arturo Lozzi (Immortal Weapons), and Matthew Clark (Avenging Spider-Man), Bloodshot's brutal, bullet-riddled tour of duty through the Valiant Universe continues right here in the second shock-inducing volume of the series that Complex calls "hard and heavy with each issue."

 

“A damn fine read…” – Ain’t It Cool News

“Beautiful… Bloodshot has proven its mastery.” – PopMatters

$14.99/T+/128 pgs.
ISBN: 978-1-939346-03-2
Collecting BLOODSHOT #5-9
ON SALE JUNE 26th!

Good stuff one and all is coming this summer! Check it out!

Daily News IDW Edition

Daily News IDW Edition

Evil Is All Thumb... prints?

Apparently evil is all thumbprint or something... I don't know. Have you some cut and paste for more info! IDW is pleased to announce a new project from the Eisner-nominated writing team behind The Cape, Joe Hill and Jason Ciaramella. Based on Hill’s original novella and featuring covers and art by superstar newcomer Vic Malhotra, THUMBPRINT is a twisted three-issue tale of fear, terror, and indelible remorse. When Private Mallory Grennan is dishonorably discharged from the US Army, she hopes to start a new life back home, far away from the things she’d seen and done in Abu Ghraib prison. Mal’s crimes, committed beneath a harsh Arabian sun, throw a shadow long enough to reach all the way to the United States. What started there, will end here – in blood. Over THUMBPRINT’s three gripping issues, fans will truly feel what it’s like to be haunted… and hunted. "Bringing THUMBPRINT to life was a challenge for me,” said writerJason Ciaramella. “Not because the prose was particularly difficult to adapt, but because the themes the story explores are haunting, and deeply disturbing. I had to step out of myself in order to capture the true horror of it without letting my personal agendas seep in." Author Joe Hill adds, “I was blown away by Jason’s work on The Cape, and wanted more.THUMBPRINT is right in his wheelhouse: Jay has a feel for the psychological flaws that lead a basically good person down the wrong path. And no one writes action quite like Jay – he turns brutality into surreal comedy and back again faster than a magician turning a scarf into a dove. Add to that an opportunity to work with an artist like Vic Malhotra – who draws with a severe grace, and brings to mind the work Mazzucchelli was doing in Batman: Year One – and I think we’ve got all the ingredients for something that can really explode off the page.” The first issue will also feature a variant cover by Vincent Chong, the award-winning artist of theTHUMBPRINT novella. When THUMBPRINT hits stands this June, fans of the Eisner-winning Locke & Key can expect another in the long line of haunting thrills concocted by Hill and Ciaramella. JOE HILL'S THUMBPRINT #1 of 3: (FC, 32 pages, $3.99). In stores 6/19/13. Let's see about getting back to a daily update a day, huh? That'd be good.

Daily News IDW Edition

IDW Teams Up With Cartoon Network!... yay?

Well... somebody had to, really, they are not going to be making new friends over at DC Comics (the last company to publish their stuff) with axing Young Justice and Green Lantern so, well, there you go. And yes, I doubt this was the reason why they did that lest they would have completely cancelled DC Nation and said this Fall it's... I don't know... IDW Kids on DC Nation's old time slot or something. I still think it's content that killed it but we'll see. Anyway... here's some cut and paste, enjoy!

"IDW Publishing and Cartoon Network Enterprises today announced that the two companies have forged a partnership to produce and release comics based on many of the network’s popular and iconic classic characters!

“Many of these Cartoon Network shows have only grown in popularity since they originally aired,” said Chris Ryall, IDW’s Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief, “and we’re excited to be able to offer new iterations of the characters in comic-book form alongside both our planned reprint material and also some new animated ventures Cartoon Network has planned, too. There’s a wealth of fun properties to play with here, and we’ve already got some unique things in mind for them.”

Beginning in 2013, fans can look forward to seeing the returns of beloved characters from classic Cartoon Network shows including THE POWERPUFF GIRLS, BEN 10, DEXTER'S LABORATORY, SAMURAI JACK, JOHNNY BRAVO, GENERATOR REX, and many more.

Not only will IDW be teaming with high-caliber creators from the world of comics to publish new adventures featuring tons of Cartoon Network’s characters, but fans can also look forward to a variety of reprints of previous incarnations of Cartoon Network comics.

“We are excited to partner with IDW to bring some of our most beloved and iconic brands and characters to life for fans of all ages,” said Pete Yoder, Vice President of Consumer Products, North America for Cartoon Network Enterprises. “It will be a great opportunity to revisit and expand many of these great stories told in comic-book form, and we’re excited to see what the creative team at IDW comes up with.”

While details have yet to be announced on the specific titles and creative teams, IDW and Cartoon Network are  thrilled to be heading into 2013 with this new partnership and great new comics hitting comic shops soon!"

Hmph. My sister has a full collection of Powerpuff Girls and Dexter's Lab from the old DC Comics era, so Cartoon Network is... hmm... reaching hard here to make a buck. Still I guess we can give it a chance. Stay tuned for updates here eh?